Reports last month cited sources to suggest that the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress would roll out plans to disqualify some Hong Kong district councillors who might have “breached the red line”. Despite none of the rumours becoming reality , they should serve as a powerful reminder to the pro-democracy camp which secured the vast majority of seats in the district councils. They should rethink their position and must not forget their fundamental responsibility to serve local communities . District councillors have been embroiled in a series of scandals, including alleged breach of duty. Incidents include two district council members posting an offensive notice which read “No blue ribbons and dogs allowed” and further insulting Chinese as scum. Some district councillors also infamously and publicly vowed to refuse assistance to citizens supporting Article 23. Such actions continue to intensify the political divide by alienating the opposition while favouring their voters alone. It is disappointing to see district councillors deliberately neglect their role as elected representatives. Public dissatisfaction with district councillors’ performance has grown. According to a survey conducted in November, close to 61 per cent of respondents complained that councillors failed to facilitate communication with the government, while over 60 per cent felt pro-democratic councillors’ performance was “very unsatisfactory”. They swept Hong Kong’s district council polls last year. How have they fared? District councils have become grounds for political struggle, and councillors sacrifice opportunities to bring about localised reforms by disregarding government representatives for the sake of their political ideals, as seen in confrontations with the police commissioner , such as at a Yuen Long council meeting, and district officers having to walk out of meetings. Remarkably, nearly 60 per cent of those who voted for pro-democracy candidates did so “to express their political stance”, according to a survey by the Hong Kong Research Association in 2019. District councillors should not just sit satisfied with the landslide win handed to them by voters, but think of constructive ways to serve local communities. District councillors will have to pledge allegiance to Hong Kong In office, they are neither “yellow camp” mouthpieces nor “blue ribbon” representatives. Once elected, their responsibility as district councillors is to enhance local development and bridge communication between citizens and the government. Instead of turning urgent livelihood issues into political controversies, councillors should strive to better the living conditions of voters. It is critical to prevent district councils from turning into the tyranny of the majority as that would derail the purpose of local councils. Yu Chin Hang, Sha Tin and He Tsz Yuk, Tai Po